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Assented Ref: Bill-2020-003

CRIMINAL OFFENCES BILL, 2020 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Version: 1 Last Updated: July 16, 2026

Summary

This Bill is the first attempt at undertaking a comprehensive review of the Criminal Code of The Gambia since its enactment in 1933. The Bill seeks to align our criminal justice legislation with current trends by removing all provisions inimical to freedom of speech such as criminal defamation and sedition. In addition, the Bill also seeks to close a long- standing legal lacunae by expanding the criminal jurisdiction of Gambian courts to offences committed by persons outside the country and who thereafter enter The Gambia, instead of extraditing them for trial in a foreign state. All the sentences under the old law were also reviewed in this Bill to bring them in line with current realities.

Bill Progress Timeline

First Reading

June 22, 2020 at 10:41 AM

First Reading

This Bill Was Table By Hon. Attorney General and Minister for Justice

Updated by: Alh. Omar Cham

Second Reading

July 13, 2020 at 10:42 AM

Second Reading

This Bill Was Table By Hon. Attorney General and Minister for Justice

Updated by: Alh. Omar Cham

Committee Stage

March 10, 2025 at 10:49 AM

Committee Stage

This Bill Was Table By Hon. Attorney General and Minister for Justice

Updated by: Alh. Omar Cham

Third Reading

March 28, 2025 at 10:51 AM

Third Reading

This Bill Was Table By Hon. Attorney General and Minister for Justice

Updated by: Alh. Omar Cham

Committee Stage

July 16, 2026 at 10:44 AM

Committee Stage

Standing Committee on Human Rights and Constitutional Matters

Updated by: Alh. Omar Cham

Assented

July 16, 2026 at 10:52 AM

Assented

This Bill Was Table By Hon. Attorney General and Minister for Justice

Updated by: Alh. Omar Cham

Bill Status

Status

Published

Current Stage

Assented

Last Updated

July 16, 2026

Document File

File Name

vOXwpJ8RmGOUj7Mi5pgTO00Qof8IlA6CpIK1kC2B.pdf

File Size

1,156.55 KB

Version History

Version 1 (Current)

Jul 15, 2026

Quick Information

Document Type
Bills